Exploring the influence of natural and cultural environments on tourism demand: a spatial analysis

This study integrates natural and cultural environmental factors within a unified framework, exploring their specific effects on tourism demand in China. To more effectively account for spatial dependence and variable heterogeneity in tourism demand, we utilize the spatial Durbin model in analyzing provincial-level data spanning from 2007 to 2019. Research findings reveal: (1) Both domestic and inbound tourism display significant spatial association. (2) Natural and cultural factors exhibit spatial spillover effects on domestic tourism demand, exemplified by sulfur dioxide generation and intangible cultural heritage quantity. (3) The impact factors or mechanisms of natural and cultural environment on domestic and inbound tourism share some similarities, but differences still exist. For instance, intangible cultural heritage prosperity stimulates regional domestic tourism but only affects local inbound tourism. This study, using China as a case, offers a practical approach and theoretical perspective for probing into the emergent growth poles in tourism demand.